This year has been challenging. If you are like me, you may be having a hard time finding JOY this advent season. We all have felt the affects of Covid-19. Some of us have lost loved ones, been extremely sick, experienced lonesomeness, been frightened, and felt helpless just a few of the emotions this year has held in store for all of us. So, this week as we light the third candle on our advent wreath, we are to be JOYFUL people. How? How do we do this? I literally sat at my desk for quite some time not too sure how I was going to do this or write about this. Then I took a walk with the boys. Then I sat at my desk again. I opened an old family album. Going back to a time when being a child, during carefree years there was so much JOY during advent! My heart immediately starting lifting. Each page I turned I smiled a little more. Page after page I realized that JOY was something I still had; it was just buried under the stress of the pandemic. I closed my eyes and thought back to the day in our kitchen. Sitting around the dinner table all 7 of us. I remembered the excitement when I got to light the rose candle. The youngest of five children it was always a fight over who got to light THAT candle. To this day as I place the candles in the advent wreath, I look forward to lighting that rose-colored candle. It really does bring JOY! So, after setting down the album and feeling a bit better I took up my Missal and read the reading for this weekend. Let me just say if you haven’t read them yet do it!!! DO IT TODAY!!! You will feel so much better. I think I may just read these reading every day! The first reading this week is
Is 61:1-2a,10-11
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners,a I will rejoice heartily in the LORD, my being exults in my God; For he has clothed me with garments of salvation, and wrapped me in a robe of justice, Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.g11As the earth brings forth its shoots, and a garden makes its seeds spring up, So will the Lord GOD make justice spring up, and praise before all the nations.
Not only am I going to rejoice but I’m going to do it heartily! Father Randall is always saying we are Alleluia people. Now is the time. We need this. Our country needs us. The world needs us!
The second reading this week just adds to the theme of JOY!
In 1 Thes 5:16-18
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. h
This 3rd week of Advent we have the chance to show the world we are JOYFUL people. We can be JOYFUL people REJOICING in the coming of the Lord. This week after we light the candle of HOPE, then PEACE, we light the JOYFUL rose-colored candle with hearts waiting for the Lord. This week as we are preparing the way of the Lord in our hearts and homes lets add JOY. Go the extra mile to help someone who needs it, wave to a neighbor, call a friend you haven’t spoken to in some time. There are so many ways to spread JOY. And honestly spreading the JOY of Christ is the best JOY to share. So, if you were like me and need help finding JOY. I ask you to sit quietly, or pull out some old photographs, or close your eyes and go back to the days when you were a little boy or girl getting to light THAT rose-colored candle. Experience that JOY. Then pass it on! J.Geeting
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December 13th is the feast day of St. Lucy. St. Lucy was a virgin martyr during the earliest centuries of Christianity under its worst persecution at the hands of the Roman Empire, therefore making her one of the most glorious saints in heaven.
She is of such renown that she is one of the saints mentioned by name in the Roman Canon of the Mass, one of only seven female saints listed.
Lucia means “light,” a fitting name for a young woman who was known to visibly glow and radiate in her love for her spouse, Jesus Christ. Falling during the Advent season—and thus a long, dark winter—there are many beautiful traditions associating this saint with the meaning of her name, the story of her life, and her glorious position in heaven. Her feast day is celebrated with candles, torches, and even bonfires.
ST. LUCY'S DAY TRADITIONS
In some Catholic cultures (especially in Scandinavia) it's common to have a Mass procession on St. Lucy's feast day with young girls carrying candles, with the lead girl wearing a wreath of lights (which looks similar to an Advent wreath).
Tradition holds that St. Lucy would wear a wreath of candles on her head so she could see better, her arms full of supplies, as she served the poor Christians hiding from persecution in the dark underground catacombs.
Many countries have special St. Lucy's day traditions, but perhaps the most well-known are the ones of Italian and Scandinavin origin.
“The oldest daughter of a family will wake up before dawn on St. Lucy's Day and dress in a white gown for purity, often with a red sash as a sign of martyrdom. On her head she will wear a wreath of greenery and lit candles, and she is often accompanied by 'Star Boys,' her small brothers who are dressed in white gowns and cone-shaped hats that are decorated with gold stars, and carrying star-tipped wands. 'St. Lucy' will go around her house and wake up her family to serve them special St. Lucy Day foods” which were usually baked sweets.
One simple way to incorporate a St. Lucy's day sweet treat into your family is with St. Lucy's bread. Read one family's fun and easy St. Lucy day tradition (perfect for young girls!)
ST. LUCY
Feast Day: December 13
Died: December 13, 304 A.D.
Patron Saint of the Blind & Eye Disorders
St. Lucy is a virgin and martyr of Syracuse in Sicily, whose feast day is celebrated by Catholic and Orthodox Churches on December 13th
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First Reading
Isaiah 61:1-2a,10-11
The Lord’s salvation will be made known to the poor and the oppressed.
Responsorial Psalm
Luke 1:46-50,53-54
Mary sings praise to God.
Second Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Paul encourages the Thessalonians to rejoice and pray always.
Gospel Reading
John 1:6-8,19-28
John gives testimony that he is preaching and baptizing in order to prepare for the coming of another.
Background on the Gospel Reading
This Sunday’s Gospel invites us to continue our reflection on the person and mission of John the Baptist. Today we depart from the Gospel of Mark and read a selection from the Gospel of John.
The Gospel for today combines a brief passage from the prologue to John’s Gospel with a report about John the Baptist. As in Mark’s Gospel, the Gospel of John contains no birth narrative. Instead, John’s Gospel begins with a theological reflection that has come to be called the “prologue.” This prologue places the story of Jesus in its cosmological framework. It speaks of Jesus’ existence with God since the beginning of time. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the culmination of the Word, the light that is coming into the world’s darkness.
Following this prologue, John reports on the ministry of John the Baptist. We learn about the attention that John the Baptist received from the Jewish authorities. Messengers from the Jewish priests, the Levites and the Pharisees question John about his identity and the meaning of the baptisms that he is performing. John’s Gospel uses these questions to establish the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist. John the Baptist is not the Messiah, nor is he Elijah or the Prophet. In John’s denials, we hear echoes of the kind of messianic expectations that were common in first-century Palestine.
The only affirmative response that John the Baptist gives is when he quotes the prophet Isaiah. Upon answering the next question, John announces that the savior they seek is already among them, but as yet unrecognized. John’s response highlights for us an important Advent theme: Jesus has already come into the world as our savior. During Advent, we pray that we will be able to recognize Jesus’ presence in our midst. Advent also reminds us that Jesus will come again to fulfill the promise of salvation. We pray that we will continue to be watchful as we anticipate that great day.
The third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete, a Latin word which means “rejoice,” is taken from the entrance antiphon for Sunday’s Mass. This theme is echoed in today’s second reading from the first Letter to the Thessalonians. It is a reminder that Advent is a season of joy because our salvation is already at hand.
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People Look East
This joyful Advent hymn has the spirit of a Christmas carol, but with an imaginative Advent text. Singing this carol is indeed one way to prepare both our homes and hearts for the coming of the Savior.
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"People, Look East" was written by Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965) and was first published as "Carol of Advent" in Part 3 of "Modern Texts Written for or Adapted to Traditional Tunes" in The Oxford Book of Carols, 1928. Farjeon, a native of London, was a devout Catholic who viewed her faith as "a progression toward which her spiritual life moved rather than a conversion experience." (The Presbyterian Hymnal Companion, p. 323) She achieved acclaim as an author of children's nursery rhymes and singing games, and is best remembered for her poem "Morning Has Broken." BESANÇON, an ancient carol, first appeared in Christmas Carols New and Old, 1871, as the setting for "Shepherds, Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep," and was titled CHANTONS, BARGIÉS, NOUÉ, NOUÉ.
Larry Marietta's Music Notes from Sunday Morning Services at FCCB
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Father Horgan, and the entire community, would like to thank all our wonderful parishioners for their generous donations for YOUR Giving Tree.
Worthy mention of sincerest gratitude to the members of the CCW for organizing the event.
You all helped make this a very successful project for St. Lucy.
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Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 12
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St. John of the Cross
Feast Day December 14
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Thank you for spending this time with us!
We hope to see you this weekend.
During this time of Covid we know not everyone can come in person to Mass that is why sharing this time with you is so very important to us. We like to stay connected to our parish family. Be well and Stay Safe!
Yours in Christ,
Father Horgan
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